Day 6: Reflection vs. Rumination – Walking for Ohio
Today, on Day 6 of the #IWillListen Ruck Challenge, I walked 10 miles in honor of Ohio’s first responders. At the 5-mile turnaround point, after a long, flat, and uneventful stretch, I realized I’d have to face that same stretch again on the way back. It struck me how often life presents us with moments like this—stretches we’d rather not revisit. But when those moments come, we have a choice: ruminate or reflect.
Ruminating keeps us stuck, replaying the past without moving forward. Reflection, on the other hand, allows us to examine our experiences, learn from them, and find ways to apply those lessons to the road ahead. The walk today reminded me that just like in life, we don’t have to be defined by the stretches we dread. We can choose to reflect, to grow, and to move forward with purpose.
The Comprehensive Fitness Model emphasizes balance and resilience across all dimensions of life—physical, emotional, social, and more. Reflection is a key part of this approach, helping us become not just fit for function but ready for life. It’s about choosing growth over stagnation, even when the path ahead feels long and flat.
If there’s a stretch in your life that you’re reluctant to face, consider how you can reflect on it instead of ruminating. What lessons can you carry forward? How can those lessons prepare you for the miles ahead? Let’s keep moving, one step—and one reflection—at a time.
